مجموعة ٦/ ٩ "تقارير جدة يناير ١٩٣١ -" [و‎‎٢‎٣‎٦] (٨٠٢/٤٧٢)

5
283. (Reference paragraph 185.) Mr. A. N. Van De Poll returned from
Europe on the 10th. He intends to remain here during*the Haj season, and has
already spent part of his time in Mecca. Neither he nor Mr. Philby was averse
to celebrating Christmas, it seemed—though most temperately.
284. End-of-year festivities in Jedda were also brightened by the
^^earance of the American Coon family. Dr. and Mrs. Carlton Coon, stated to
represent Harvard University—he is rather young for a doctor of philosophy, and
an anthropologist to boot—accompanied by Mr. Waldo Forbes, arrived on Boxing
Day with the intention of conducting anthropological investigations in Saudi
Arabia. They requested permission to travel across to Riyadh and pursue their
researches amongst the Bedouin. Their request was not granted, and, to anticipate
the Jedda report for next month, they left here for Aden on the 3rd January.
Whilst recently at Sanaa they had discovered, they averred, a Yemeni of distinctly
Neanderthal type. It is sad to think that owing to their departure one still lacks
scientific confirmation of one’s belief that Saudi Arabia can do much better
than that.
285. The pilgrimage season has now got fairly under way, a number of
ships having arrived. It is still too early to estimate the probable totals, but
present indications do not encourage optimism. Few prominent pilgrims have,
so far as is known, arrived. Perhaps the most outstanding personage is His
Highness Seyyid Sir Taimur-bin-Faisal, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., ex-Sultan of Muscat and
Oman, who landed here on the 7th December and was officially welcomed by
representatives of the Saudi Government, whose guest he is understood to be.
286. The Umm-al-Qura of the 15th December announced that it is hoped
shortly to affix a large clock upon the Government offices in Mecca.
287. The position in regard to the manumission of slaves in December was
as follows :—
On hand at the beginning of the month : None.
Took refuge in December : One male, one female.
Manumitted in December and repatriated : One female.
Locally manumitted : None.
On hand at the end of the month : One male.
One ex-slave man and one ex-slave woman took refuge fearing re-enslavement.
The former left again of his own free will. The latter is still on hand.
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